Description
Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend. "Roberta Donnay and the Prohibition Mob Band." June 9, 2023.
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https://berkshiregatewayjazz.org
Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend, June 9 - 11, 2023
Jazz, Food & More in Downtown Lee, Massachusetts, in the beautiful Berkshire Hills!
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ROBERTA DONNAY AND THE PROHIBITION MOB BAND
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 7:30PM
Roberta Donnay and the Prohibition Mob Band.
With her singularly enticing sound, few contemporary vocalists are as well suited to dustily vintage material as jazz-blues stylist Roberta Donnay.
–Jazz Times
The Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend kicks-off in grand style with a rare East Coast performance of Roberta Donnay and the Prohibition Mob Band.
Award-winning vocalist and songwriter Roberta Donnay is that rare species of musician who almost lives in another time, as she and her Prohibition Mob Band exist to revive the Jazz Age of America. Performing and recording for more than two decades, her music spans multiple genres, including writing for film and TV. As the leader of the Prohibition Mob Band, her repertoire runs the gamut of the jazz era, ranging from Louis Armstrong to Blossom Dearie, as well as her own original material.
The Prohibition Mob Band is a vintage jazz and swing band presenting 1920-1930s swing, blues, and roots music in the jazz tradition. The ensemble’s mission is to explore, celebrate, and promote America’s jazz roots by interpreting vintage material as well as contributing original works reminiscent of the Jazz Age. Roberta Donnay & the Prohibition Mob Band have been touring the U.S. since 2012. Their third CD, “My Heart Belongs To Satchmo,” is devoted to the early music of Louis Armstrong, continuing the band’s tradition of resurrecting both well-known and obscure vintage music. Previously, the group released “A Little Sugar” (2012) and “Bathtub Gin” (2015). “A Little Sugar” spent 9 weeks on the Jazz radio charts, and “Bathtub Gin” was named one of the Best Albums of 2015 by DownBeat Magazine.
Prior to forming the Prohibition Mob Band, she recorded with legendary producer Orrin Keepnews, and was a member of Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks. Her original composition “One World” was the official theme of the United Nations’ 50th anniversary. It was performed for 188 delegates in 1994 and at the official celebrations in 1995. The song has been performed at several peace and international diplomacy convocations.
Roberta Donnay has a silky, clean voice that is a small marvel of geniality, rarely dipping into touchy-feely cuteness. She’s drawn to material from the canon of American songs recorded between the two world wars. All the while, the well-groomed, jazz-inclined Prohibition Mob Band motors along spiritedly.
–DownBeat
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ABOUT BERKSHIRE GATEWAY JAZZ WEEKEND
Jazz is alive in the Berkshires! Lee offers up a great weekend of top shelf Jazz in the Annual Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend! Stay at one of the many B&B’s and other Inns in the area! Visit the Lee Chamber of Commerce website for more information.Spend some time in downtown Lee, with its great shops and restaurants, ranging from American classic cuisine in an historic restaurant once owned by the Nat King Cole family to a great French bistro, a wonderful little Peruvian place and of course Starving Artist Creperie & Cafe. For great seafood don’t forget the Salmon Run Fish House, or try the varied menus at Pho Saigon, Timothy’s or Lucia’s Latin Kitchen. Check out these and more by visiting the Lee Chamber of Commerce site.
Jazz has always been part of the cultural scene in the Berkshires, and in fact the Berkshires have played a significant role in jazz history. In the 1950’s and 1960’s The Music Inn and the Lenox School of Jazz were at the forefront of innovation, hosting concerts, lectures, educational offerings and symposia, the likes of which had never been seen. These offerings featured Jazz greats such as John Lewis and the Modern Jazz Quartet, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmie Giuffre, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Jim Hall, Max Roach, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and many many more.
The natural affinity of Jazz and the Berkshires continues and some of the great artists that have had early ties to the Berkshires have come back time and time again. Young artists and innovators are still coming here. Recent Jazz offerings in the Berkshires have included Jazz giants such as Randy Weston, Sonny Rollins, Ahmad Jamal, young upcoming artists such as Grace Kelly together with masters such as Phil Woods, T.S. Monk, and Dr. Billy Taylor.
There is just something about the Berkshires…Please join us this summer. Don’t miss Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend!
Keep your eyes on the Berkshires for more great jazz offerings by visiting BerkshiresJazz.org
Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend is produced by Berkshire Gateway Preservation, Inc in collaboration with Berkshires Jazz, Inc., a non-profit organization which has as its mission presenting and preserving America’s unique art form, and continuing to make the Berkshires a welcome place for Jazz. Berkshires Jazz produces concerts and educational programs throughout the year. For more information about upcoming Jazz events in the Berkshires, visit www.BerkshiresJazz.org
